Alisha Robinson, Critical Artist Expression

Callaghan, Lauren. Do What You Want Zine. -

Alisha Robinson 9/12

Fall 2017

Critical Artist Expression

Artist: Laura Callaghan

Callaghan, Lauren. Pick Me Up 2015. -

Laura Callaghan is an Irish illustrator based in South East London. She has a Master’s Degree in Illustration and is well known in London. I believe most of her work address social issues many women deal with everyday. Whether it be, self-esteem issues or societal pressure issues, she addresses all of it in an unique way with her art. I believe society, and mainly social media puts pressure on women to be a certain way, live a certain way, and hold up a standard that many are not comfortable doing. Callaghan’s work shows women in a way that goes completely against social media standards, such as women eating junk food, wearing provocative clothing, and enjoying life in a way that makes you happy. Most of her work talks for itself, and I love the way she incorporates women of all races to show that all women enjoy many of the same activities regardless of skin color, size, or culture. I also find it interesting how she uses bright colors and 2D like drawings to all come together to create such nice work. She goes into great detail in all of her illustrations and it is very appeasing to look at. The women she illustrates looks so real and also all the other objects she draws in the pictures. It makes you think you are looking at an actual photograph rather than a drawing. I like how the colors compliment each other and makes the drawings more appealing.